Cool Hunting

Umbra's latest from their more high-end U+ line has a few items notable for their use of materials and humor. At more reasonable price points than other design objects, these are the kind of pieces that will inject a dose of style if you're bored with your decor and make memorable gifts as well.

Dossier Photo Album
Developing photographs may be a lost art, but Anna Buechin's design gives reason to actually print out those memories and make an album worthy of showing off. Incorporating interior design's most modern material, this bent ply album adds a hint of contemporary good looks to your book shelf. Use conventionally to showcase photos amongst the 20 acid-free pages or file ticket stubs and pressed flowers for a summer scrap book that's less suburban-crafty and more you. It's $55 from Umbra.

Limited Edition Strass Stool
To create a continual in-the-process aesthetic in your space of leisure, the "wet paint" Strass stool is the perfect accessory. The limited edition uses polyurethane and silicone to give the appearance of drips and pooling puddles of paint to Michelle Ivankovic's original resulting in a decidedly unstuffy design object. You can safely (though maybe not so comfortably) sit on this little bench without the risk of walking away with a fresh coat on your backside. Available from Umbra in black or white this September for $300.

Louise Tripod Wine Glasses
These glasses by Dutch designer Maarten Baptist add a witty element to the dinner table while holding a glass of vino. Hand-blown in Holland, a set of four costs $100 and is available from Unica Home.